How much time do you have to read aloud today?
Come now beam of morning light just bright enough that I’ll delight to sit and sip dark morning brew, and with my love to then review the day behind, the day ahead, the things we’ve thought and things we’ve read . . .
The cup of brew when shared at dawn eases fears and bids them gone.
In Memoriam, Carlton L. Grim, 1933-2023
Within our times there lived a law that guided boys as they grew tall; it had twelve points—twelve ways to live, twelve ways to serve, twelve ways to give. To those who took that oath when young and passed it down through son to son, let’s pledge anew to live that way, even in, yes, these PC days. This honors one who lived them out: Dad—Great Grandpa now—a Scout of Scouts. Let’s say them now, without a tear, and let these laws extend their years … A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent.
Once upon a time in a village by the sea lived a spry and happy girl, little darlin’ Patti Lee. In her garden she would play quite imaginary games: all her flowers sweetly sing, and her trees do dance with rain. She makes everyone so glad, makes them very very glad. In the cottage window sits, watching her while she’s at play, an old soldier who’s returned from a war far far away. In his mind he’s still at war fighting battles fought before. When he loses them again, sleep does save him with a snore. Patti Lee keeps at her play; a flat rock becomes tea tray. ‘Cross the sea there still is war where young men are dying for causes that can save the world -- causes well worth dying for. One young soldier’s in the front thinking of his cottage yard where his daughter is at play, where rose petals are her cards. Being gone is very hard, O so very very hard. This young soldier and his dad people say are really mad, fighting wars so far away while a good life could be had working in the village streets as a constable, a cop, keeping home fires glowing warm as sweet Patti spins a top. Patti Lee keeps at her play all the while her dad’s away. When he comes back safe and sound, tales of war he will not tell as he plays out in the yard helping Patti build a well. All the pain he suffered there in a moment flees away ‘cos he sees in Patti’s eyes the reward of all he’s paid -- Patti Lee can freely play, she can freely freely play.
He's a tiny little man though he's over six feet tall with a puny little job but he acts like lord of all. When he strides into the room he demands from you respect though to you he will give none as he closely does inspect every tiny little jot of the work that he demands, and if things are not just right then out flies a reprimand. Yes, we surely all desire in the rubbish him to toss, but we never have the nerve 'cos that guy is still the boss.
* Original rap by Brian Grim (page 97 in Grim’s New Fairy Tales).
On a related note:
If God came to earth, what would He say?
And would He say it to our face?
If we were faced with Him in all His glory,
What would He say if He had just one minute?
And yeah, yeah, what'd He say?
Yeah, yeah, make my day!
And yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah.
What if God would speak aloud?
Would he draw adoring crowds?
Would he stand atop a cloud
Tryin' to get us to hear?
If God came to earth, what would he say?
And would you want to give ear if hearing meant
That you would have to forgive and love your neighbor
And love people, yes ones who are your enemies.
And yeah, yeah, what'd He say?
Yeah, yeah, make my day!
And yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah.
What if God would speak aloud?
Would he draw adoring crowds?
Would he stand atop a cloud
Tryin' to get us to hear?
Just tryin' to get us to hear,
A quiet whisper in our ear:
Do not judge lest ye be judged;
The only law that counts is love.
And yeah, yeah, what'd He say?
Yeah, yeah, make my day!
And yeah, yeah, yeah-yeah-yeah.
What if God would speak aloud?
Would he draw adoring crowds?
Would he stand atop a cloud
Tryin' to get us to hear?
Just tryin' to get us to hear,
A quiet whisper in our ear:
Do not judge lest ye be judged;
Just tryin' to get us to hear,
Do not judge lest ye be judged;
The only law that counts is love.
* Same musical score as One of Us, originally performed in 1995 by Joan Osborn and written by Eric Bazilian.
The light that shone upon the face Of what was once the human race Is dimmed by anger, loathing, spite, As righteous hate brings on night. We close our ears to cries beyond, Which severs us from human bonds: The very ties we desperately need To be fully truly free. So join me now, O we shall see The dawning of authenticity: We love and laugh and cry and share As the Samaritan once did dare.
* Same musical score as “Mansions of the Lord,” a hymn written by Randall Wallace and set to the music of Nick Glennie-Smith; it was originally written for the 2002 film We Were Soldiers, and was performed by the United States Military Academy Glee Club.